Beauty Bites

Confession: There are many days that I do not wear makeup. Gasp. I know. My daily beauty routine is often as simple as a freshly washed face. To keep my skin looking tip-top though I rely on a good moisturizer to lock in that clean-glowy look. During the dry, winter months my skin is especially desperate for a good moisturizer – so skipping that step is a big no-no. Currently, I’m obsessed with Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Relief, a fragrance-free moisture miracle worker. My skin drinks up the light cream-gel and receives the instant hydration it needs. I in turn get the healthy, plumped-up complexion that I crave. Don’t you just love a beauty story with a happily-ever-after?

Mascaras are a lot like boys. Some are better than others and every girl has a type that she prefers. No matter the type though, we’re all looking for Mr. Perfect. That elusive perfect mascara that makes our lashes lush and lovely. In fact, we’ll try several mascaras in the hopes of finding “the one.”

Currently, I’m in love with Blinc Kiss Me Mascara. It’s sort of hard not to with a name like that. What do I like about it? The length and volume creating mascara uses “tube-technology” to create these tiny water-resistant “tubes” around your lashes instead of just painting them like conventional mascaras. Once applied, the tubes bind to your lashes so you don’t have to worry about it running, smudging, clumping, or flaking. It’s perfect for sensitive eyes or contact lens wearers like myself, and ideal for tear-inducing situations like weddings or Nicholas Sparks’ movies (damn you, The Notebook. You get me every time).

Surprisingly, these little stay-put tubes come off easily, which is another reason why I absolutely love it. You don’t need any mascara remover. Just a little warm water and pressure and the tubes slide right off your lashes. I’d say this mascara is a “keeper.”

When it comes to facial cleansers I like alternate between a few. Sometimes a girl needs a different wash for different reasons or for different times of year. Peter Thomas Roth’s Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel (available at Nordstrom, Beauty, Sephora) is just one of the cleansers in my current rotation. The oil-free foaming cleanser uses salicylic acid, brightening botanicals, and a gentle form of glycolic acid to exfoliate and clarify the skin. It detoxifies the pores and helps improve skin texture. I like to use it every other day to really rid myself of dull skin and give it a more youthful appearance. I’ve been using it for a few months now, and as you can see from the photo it looks like I’ve barely used it. A little goes a long way, so you really get your money’s worth.

If you’re like me, you’ve never looked into the mirror and seen any imperfections. I wish. Sometimes the signs of fatigue or stress decide to wreck havoc on my face in the form of dark circles or pimples. These unsightly flaws would have made me cringe with despair at one time, but now I don’t sweat it.  Whatever the problem may be, I know that Benefit Erase Paste will get rid of my facial problemos. I discovered this product a few months ago and it’s since been my little makeup super hero – ready to save the day when evil strikes my innocent, unsuspecting face. The little pot contains a concentrated, creamy, blendable concealer that instantly brightens and camouflages all-in-one. It’s available in three brightening neutral shades and comes with a little spatula and a step-by-step directions for flawless application. While the pot may seem tiny, a little of this product goes a long way. I’ve had mine for about six months and I’ve barely made a dent in it. With Erase Paste you great coverage and a long-lasting product.

When it comes to makeup, I like to keep things simple but pretty. While I admire girls who artfully apply red lipstick or dramatic eyeliner as their daytime look, that’s just not me. I like to look like myself and bold makeup during daylight hours makes me feel a bit like a clown. I use the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick as my go-to day look and it’s probably one of my favorite products in my makeup arsenal. The five bars of pure pearl color work double time to create shimmering eyelids and/or glowing cheeks. The bricks come in four fabulous options: bronze, nectar , rose and pink quartz. Each is great for creating soft coral, rose or bronze looks. It’s the perfect product to have if you’re looking for a simple beauty routine or you need something convenient to keep in your bag. I have the pink quartz one, and I can create several fresh, glowy looks with it. I definitely would love to try the others.